LESSON FOURTEEN   PRICE ( I )

Bragg: What is your price per set for laser printer?

Zhang: Our price is two hundred dollars per set FOB Guangzhou. It can be supplied from stock for prompt shipment.

Bragg: I’m afraid your price is rather on the high side. To be honest with you, we have another offer for a similar one at a much lower price.

Zhang: I can assure you that our price  is most realistic. A trial sale will convince you of what I say.

Bragg: But it will be impossible for us to make any sales at this price. If you can go a little lower, I’d be able to give you an order on the spot. You see, I have here a buyer who intends to book 50 sets. But the price he offers me is only one hundred and ninety dollars per set.

Zhang: This price of yours is out of the question. You must be aware that the cost of production has risen a great deal in recent years. What’s more, we have worked hard on improving the efficiency and reliability of this product. Advanced features have also been added. As a consequence, this product runs a lot more efficiently. It’s much easier to operate and user-friendly. Any other model in its class is not comparable with ours. Better quality deserves higher price, anyone in trade knows the rule.

Bragg: That all sounds very hi-tech. Still I can’t accept your price as it is well out of line with the market level. One hundred and ninety is my customer’s final bid and I can’t help it. That’s my actual position. I hope you’ll give a second thought to the bid. 50 sets is no small quantity.

\Zhang: (Writing something in calculation in his notebook) OK. Since it is a big order, I think I’ll accept your price of one hundred and ninety as an exception. It’s quite a bargain. I hope you will appreciate it.

Bragg: Thank you for your cooperation.

Zhang: it will leave us very little profit indeed. But I trust our first supply will induce your customers to place regular orders with us in future.

                                         NEW WORDS

Bragg         布萊格（人名）          advanced          先進的

set           （一）件，臺            feature             特征

laser          激光                    add               增加， 加

printer         印刷機                 consequence        結果

side           面，方面               efficiently          有效率的

stock          庫存                   operate            操作，經營

prompt        立即，迅速              user-friendly       方便使用者的

honest         誠實的                 model             型號

assure         使……放心             comparable         相比較  

realistic        現實的                deserve             應得  

convince       使信服                rule                規則

impossible     不可能的              hi-etch              高科技的